TROUBLE IN MIND Previews

The play Trouble in Mind begins previews at the American Airlines Theatre tomorrow night, prior to a November 18 official opening. Written by Alice Childress and directed by Charles Randolph-Wright, the show gives audiences an intriguing look at racism in America, and more importantly, in the world of Broadway theatre. Trouble in Mind premiered Off-Broadway in 1955, but this production marks its Broadway premiere. The nine-member cast is led by Tony winner LaChanze.

I read this for a college class last week, and I might go see one of the later previews with the class. It is a very good read, and I can only imagine how powerful it plays out on stage. 

“Follow an experienced Black stage actress through rehearsals of a major Broadway production in Alice Childress’s wry and moving look at racism, identity, and ego in the world of New York theatre. At the forefront of both the Civil Rights and feminist movements, the prescient Trouble in Mind opened to acclaim Off-Broadway in 1955 and was announced to move to Broadway in 1957… in a production that never came to be.”

Who’s going?

BWAY Baby2 said: "Another racism in America show- perhaps an overload?"

The racism in America is an overload.

Bring on more anti-racist art.

TotallyEffed said: "BWAY Baby2 said: "Another racism in America show- perhaps an overload?"

The racism in America is an overload.

Bring on more anti-racist art."

Here, here.

Really looking forward to seeing this next Saturday.

Seeing this on Wednesday! Really looking forward to it.

 "Another racism in America show- perhaps an overload?"

From your comment in another thread about not being interested in anything but white Christian men acting on stage......feel free NOT see it, brah. 

Updated On: 10/28/21 at 01:24 PM

Sutton Rose-- you do not know me- or anything about me. I am not Christian- and I am certainly not opposed to serious explorations of all kinds of social issues. In fact, my favorites are serious drama- and musicals with depth, wit and something valuable to impart. You immediately pigeon holing me as a racist pig says more about your then me- obviously you are a person who judges- who is very set in his ways- and is intolerant of other points of view- especially points of view that- even if not toxic- disagree with you. We need less people doing that these days- and more people accepting different points of view. I am not a racist- though I am white- and respect people based on their character. Might you be more of a problem then me?

Updated On: 10/28/21 at 01:38 PM

It feels racist to me because it's reducing these plays about full realized human characters to a play about "Racism in America." Trouble in Mind is about a lot more than Racism in America. As is Caroline, Pass Over, and I'd imagine the other shows currently running (but I have not seen them). 

It's certainly a facet of these plays, but I don't know how you would write a play about African American characters without bringing up racism. Reducing every play about African Americans to plays about "Racism in America" is pretty short-sighted at best and racist at worst. 

JasonC3 said: "I'm not sure it is unreasonable to ask how many shows on similar themes can be sustained on Broadway right now given the current pandemic conditions, general box office malaise for many plays, and international tourist travel only starting to become possible again.

"

On the last point, there's an argument to be made that this is exactly the time for fare less likely to draw the tourist crowd, since the tourists aren't here anyway. As shows like Aladdin have seemingly shown, the ones that need the tourists are struggling more than they did in the past, so if you're ever going to try to do less star-driven material, or more American-focused material, or about the theater, or race, or all of the above, might as well do it now. Local audiences are more likely to be drawn to that than foreign tourists.

 

Um, that is the opposite of what they have said in the past, Try to keep up.

"I also am not interested in seeing 20 shows about gay issues- or feminist issues- or Jewish issues. If you do not feel over-saturated with the media's over-emphasis on racial issues- that is fine. But, many people do."

- BWAY Baby2 in the Thoughts of a Colored Man thread

So again, the OPPOSITE of what you just said. I know you have issues admitting you are wrong but you are are here. Thanks.  

Sutton Rose- I would probably like you as a person if we sat down and talked- so let's bury the hatchet and be in peace.
 

Now that that is sorted we can get back to the matters at hand!


“Follow an experienced Black stage actress through rehearsals of a major Broadway production in Alice Childress’s wry and moving look at racism, identity, and ego in the world of New York theatre. At the forefront of both the Civil Rights and feminist movements, the prescient Trouble in Mind opened to acclaim Off-Broadway in 1955 and was announced to move to Broadway in 1957… in a production that never came to be.”

I cannot wait to see this, I got great seats and I haven't seen LaChanze on stage since If/Then so this is incredibly exciting.